Tamper resistant package

ABSTRACT

A tamper resistant package comprises a packaging enclosure in the form of an open-ended sleeve or carton with a plurality of product packs inside the enclosure engaging the interior surface thereof. Each of the product packs includes outer wrap material at least a portion of which is secured to the interior surface of the enclosure. Upon removal of a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outer wrap material remains within the enclosure thereby destroying the integrity of the outer wrap material which effectively prevents the product packs from being removed from the package and individually sold. The wrapping material is disturbed sufficiently so that the pack is not suitable for sale after being separated from the enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to packaging for a plurality ofproduct packs, each pack having outer wrap material, and moreparticularly to a tamper resistant package that effectively prevents theproduct packs therein from being removed from the package andindividually sold by destroying the integrity of the outer wrap uponremoval of a pack from the package.

[0002] Product packs such as cigarettes packs are normally sold assingle packs or by the carton. At times it is desirable for promotionalpurposes to market multiple product packs with one or more packs in thepackage being given away free with the purchase of the entire package.Such packages may include multiple product packs less than the number ofpacks normally included in a carton, or a carton of packs may bepromoted where one or more of the packs in the carton are free ofcharge. Promotional activities may include a buy one get one freeapproach where a packaging sleeve is used having two pack-receivingpockets. Other promotions include buy two packs and get one free where apackaging sleeve is used having a single pack in one pocket and twopacks in another pocket. Still other promotions include several freepacks in the standard ten pack carton.

[0003] One of the problems associated with such marketing programs isthe temptation to remove the free packs from the packaging and to sellthose packs as individual items at full price thereby circumventing thepromotional objectives of the manufacturer. Hence, there is a real needfor tamper resistant packaging that functions to strongly discourage thebreaking up of multiple product packs and thereby prevent sale of thepacks individually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention istamper resistant packaging that effectively prevents sale of packagedproduct packs except as contemplated by the manufacturer of such packs.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is tamper resistantpackaging that is easy to assemble, but highly effective in preventingunauthorized disassembly of the package.

[0006] Still another object of the present invention is a tamperresistant package that destroys the integrity of the outer wrap materialon the product packs when the packs are removed from the package.

[0007] Still another object of the invention is a method of producing ahighly effective tamper resistant package.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a package comprises apackaging enclosure having an interior surface with a plurality ofremovable product packs inside the enclosure engaging the interiorsurface thereof. Each of the packs includes outer wrap material at leasta portion of which is secured to the interior surface of the enclosure.Upon removal of a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion ofthe outer wrap material remains within the packaging enclosure therebydestroying the integrity of the outer wrap material.

[0009] The packaging enclosure may comprise an open-ended packagingsleeve having a plurality of pack-receiving pockets with one or moreproduct packs in each of the pockets. The packing sleeve may include twopockets with a single pack in each pocket, or a two pocket arrangementwith a single pack in one pocket and two packs in the other pocket, forexample.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, open-ended packagingsleeves include dots or strips of adhesive on the interior surfacethereof that secure a portion of the outer wrap material of each productpacks to the sleeve. Those portions of the outer wrap material remainwithin the sleeve when the packs are removed.

[0011] The packaging enclosure may also comprise a carton constructedand arranged to receive two rows of product packs, each row comprising aplurality of packs. Preferably each of the two rows comprises fiveproduct packs. Moreover, the carton may include opposite side walls andopposite interconnecting end walls with dots of adhesive or adhesivestrips extending across the interior surface of each side wall thatfunctions to secure a portion of the outer wrap material of each productpack to the carton. Additionally, the carton may include a top wall witha plurality of spaced apart openings therein, one directly above eachproduct pack within the carton to thereby provide access to the packsfor individually pushing them out and away from the carton. In analternative embodiment the carton is constructed and arranged to receiveone row of five product packs.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer wrapmaterial of each product pack includes a weakened line of separationbetween top and bottom portions of the outer wrap. Upon removal of aproduct pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrap separates atthe weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the outer wrap secured tothe interior surface of the enclosure while a portion of the outer wrapremains with the removed product pack. Such destruction of the integrityof the outer wrap material effectively prevents the packs from beingsold as individual items.

[0013] The present invention also includes a method of producing atamper resistant package comprising the steps of forming a packagingenclosure, filling the enclosure with a plurality of product packs eachof which has outer wrap material, and securing at least a portion of theouter wrap material of each product pack to the interior surface of thepackaging enclosure such that upon removal of a product pack from theenclosure at least a portion of the outer wrap material remains securedto the enclosure. Adhesive may be used to secure the outer wrap materialto the packaging enclosure. Such adhesive may be applied to the interiorof the enclosure or to the outer wrap of the product packs, butregardless of where the adhesive is applied the important feature isthat the adhesive is between the outer wrap of the product packs and theinterior surface of the packaging enclosure. Upon removal of a productpack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outer wrap materialremains within the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Novel features and advantages of the present invention inaddition to those mentioned above will become apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-pack packagingsleeve with portions thereof broken away to illustrate the tamperresistant relationship between the packaging sleeve and the packagedpacks therein, according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multi-pack packaging sleeve andthe packaged packs of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the multi-packpackaging sleeve and the packaged packs of FIG. 1, with portions thereofbroken away to illustrate interior details and one of the packs removedfrom the packaging sleeve;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another multi-pack packagingsleeve with portions thereof broken away to illustrate the tamperresistant relationship between the packaging sleeve and the packagedpacks therein, according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the multi-pack packaging sleeve andthe packaged packs of FIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 6 is right side elevational view of the multi-pack packagingsleeve and the package packs of FIG. 4 with portions thereof broken awayto illustrate interior details and with one of the packs removed fromthe packaging sleeve;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another multi-pack package sleeve anda pair of packaged packs, according to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 8 is front elevational view of a ten-pack carton withportions thereof broken away to illustrate the tamper resistantrelationship between the carton and the packed packs in the carton,according to the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton and packaged packs of FIG.8;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the carton andpackaged packs of FIG. 8, with portions thereof broken away toillustrate interior details and one of the packs removed from thecarton;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another carton, according to thepresent invention; and

[0026]FIG. 12 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 8, butillustrating the adhesive in the form of strips applied to portions ofthe interior surfaces of the packaging enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Referring in particularity to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustratea multi-pack tamper resistant package 10 comprising a packagingenclosure 12 having an interior surface 14 with a plurality of productpacks 16 within the enclosure engaging the interior surface thereof. Theproduct packs may comprise packs of cigarettes although other such packsare equally suitable for packaging within the enclosure. Such otherproduct packs may include candy, over-the-counter drugs as well as otherconsumer goods such as toothpaste, dental floss, shaving cream anddeodorant to name a few. The packaging enclosure 12 may be fabricatedfrom a variety of different materials, such as paperboard, for example.

[0028] The packaging enclosure 12 of FIGS. 1-3 fundamentally comprisesan open-ended sleeve with two pack-receiving pockets 18, 20.Pack-receiving pocket 18 is dimensioned to receive a single product pack16 while the other pocket 20 of the sleeve is dimensioned to receive twoproduct packs in back-to-back relationship. Pocket 18 includes oppositeside walls 22 and opposite end walls 24 while pocket 20 includesopposite side walls 26 and opposite end walls 28. Each pocket includesone or two partial top walls 30 in the form of triangular segments thatextend between the side and end walls, as shown best in FIG. 2.

[0029] Several dots of adhesive 32 extends across one of the side walls22 of the single pack-receiving pocket 18, and similar dots of adhesive32 extend across the interior of each of the side walls 26 of thepack-receiving pocket 20 holding the two product packs. Moreover, theseadhesive dots are located on an upper portion of each side approximatelywithin the upper one third of the height of the packaging sleeve.

[0030] Each product pack 16 includes flexible outer wrap material 34,and in the case of cigarette packs such outer wrap material normallyincludes a tax stamp and may include printed indicia applied by themanufacturer in various forms such as lot numbers and the like.

[0031] When the tamper resistant package 10 is assembled, the productpacks 16 are inserted into the pack-receiving pockets 18, 20 ofpackaging enclosure 12 until the upper portions of the packs engage thetriangular shaped top walls 30 of each pocket. The outer wrap material34 is secured to interior surface 14 of the pack-receiving pockets 18,20 where the dots of adhesive 34 have been placed beforehand. With thisarrangement the upper portion of the outer wrap material 34 of eachproduct pack 16 is secured to the interior of the packaging enclosure12. Accordingly, upon removal of product packs 16 from the pockets ofthe enclosure the upper portion of the outer wrap 34 breaks away fromthe pack and remains within the enclosure while the lower unsecuredportion of the outer wrap is removed with the product pack. Assumingcertain indicia and the required tax stamp have been positioned on theportion of the outer wrap remaining with the packaging sleeve, theremoved product pack has the appearance of being opened due todestruction of the integrity of the outer wrap material.

[0032] The packaging sleeve of FIGS. 1-3 may be used in promotions bythe manufacturer of the packs such as a buy two get one free promotion.One of the problems with such marketing programs is the temptation toremove the free pack from the packaging sleeve and then sell that packas an individual item at full price. Obviously, this process circumventsthe promotional goals of the manufacturer. However, with the tamperresistant package 10 of FIGS. 1-3 such practices are effectivelyprevented because any such unauthorized removal of the product packs 16from the package destroys the integrity of the outer wrap material 30which virtually makes it very difficult to sell that pack as anindividual item.

[0033] Preferably, the outer wrap material 34 of each product pack 16includes a weakened line of separation 36 between the top and bottomportions of the outer wrap. In the case of cigarette packs, the line maybe located near the top of the pack at the juncture of the lid and thebottom portion of the pack. Upon removal of a product pack from thepackage, the outer wrap 34 separates at the weakened line 36 therebyleaving the upper portion secured to the interior surface 14 of sleeve12 while the lower portion of the outer wrap material remains with theremoved product pack.

[0034] The outer wrap material comprises a thin transparent filmtraditionally used for outer wrap purposes. Moreover, the weakened lineof separation 36 may comprise a perforated or cut line that extendsaround each product pack 16. Tear tape may be placed on the outer wrapmaterial covering the perforated or cut line which tape acts as a seal.

[0035] An additional feature of package 10 is that the product packs 16are automatically opened when the outer wrap material separates at theweakened line 36. There is no need for the consumer to pull the teartape or discard the removed outer wrap material and tear tape whichremains within the packaging enclosure 12.

[0036] Strips of adhesive may be used as an alternative to the adhesivedots 32. Specifically a strip of adhesive may extend across one of theside walls 22 of the single pack receiving pocket 18 and similar stripsof adhesive may extend across the interior of each of the side walls 26of the pack-receiving pocket holding the two product packs. Moreover,hot melt adhesive may be used to form the dots or strips just prior toassembly or heat-activated adhesive may be used with the application ofheat to set the adhesive after assembly of the package. Theheat-activated adhesive may be applied in the form of a coating appliedto at least a portion of the interior of the enclosure. This coatingcould me made of any suitable material including by way of non-limitingexample polyethylene. It should be understood that the term “adhesive”as used herein refers to not only traditional adhesives such as glues,but also to any other suitable material that will form a bond betweenthe pack outer wrap and the surrounding enclosure. However, theimportant feature is that the adhesive be positioned between theinterior of the pack-receiving enclosure and the exterior of the outerwrap material. Accordingly, the adhesive may be directly applied to theouter wrap material as an alternative to applying adhesive to theinterior of the packaging enclosure.

[0037]FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate a multi-pack tamper resistantpackage 40 having a configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3.Accordingly, similar reference characters have been used to identifysimilar parts. One difference with respect to package 40 is that the topwall of each pack-receiving pocket is different in that it comprisesrectangular segments 42 instead of the triangular segments shown inFIGS. 1-3. However, these rectangular segments only partially cover thetop of each pack-receiving pocket. The single pocket 18 includes onerectangular segment 42 extending between the opposite end walls 24 andone of the side walls 22 while the two pack pocket 20 includes twospaced apart rectangular segments 42, each extending between oppositeend walls 28 and one of the side walls 26. Dots of adhesive 32 areapplied in the interior of the top rectangular segments 42 to secure theouter wrap to these top segments. Otherwise, the tamper resistantpackage 40 of FIGS. 4 and 5 functions in the same manner as package 10.Accordingly, upon removal of a product pack 16 from the package theintegrity of the outer wrap is destroyed in that the upper portion ofthe outer wrap material remains within the packaging enclosure.

[0038]FIG. 7 illustrates another multi-pack package 44 which is verysimilar to package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The only significantdifference is that each of the pack-receiving pockets 46, 48 isdimensioned to receive a single product pack, otherwise the packages arethe same and function in the same manner. Package 44 may be used in abuy one, get one free promotion.

[0039] As described above, strips of adhesive may be used as analternative to the adhesive dots 32. Moreover, hot melt or heatactivated adhesive may be used, and the adhesive may be applied to theouter wrap instead of the interior of the packaging enclosure.

[0040] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another multi-pack tamper resistant package50 comprising an enclosure 52 having an interior surface 54 with aplurality of product packs 16 within the enclosure engaging the interiorsurface thereof. The packaging enclosure comprises a standard ten packcarton with the product packs arranged in two rows with five packs ineach row. Other arrangements may also be used such as a five pack cartonwhere five product packs are aligned in a single row, for example. Thepackaging enclosure may be fabricated from a variety of differentmaterials, such as paperboard, for example.

[0041] Packaging enclosure 52 includes opposite side walls 56, oppositeinterconnecting end walls 58, and top and bottom walls 60, 62,respectively. Dots of adhesive 64 extends across the interior of each ofthe side walls 56 along the upper portions thereof to secure the outerwrap material 34 of the product packs to the interior of the carton.

[0042] Fundamentally, the carton of FIGS. 8-10 is used in the samemanner as the other embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1-7.Accordingly, upon removal of product packs 16 from the carton the upperportion of the outer wrap material 34 breaks away from the packs andremains within the carton while the lower unsecured portion of the outerwrap is removed with the product packs.

[0043] The weakened line of separation 36 may be the same as describedabove with the line at the junction of lid and bottom portion of thepack.

[0044] Carton 52 also includes another feature in the form of aplurality of spaced apart perforated cut lines 66 in the top wall 62with one cut line directly above each product pack in the carton. Whenthe perforations are broken an opening is provided into the cartondirectly above each pack for individually pushing the packs out and awayfrom the carton. As shown in FIG. 10, the consumer simply breaks theperforated cut line with a finger and then pushes the packs out and awayfrom the carton.

[0045]FIG. 11 shows a five pack carton 70 as noted above where fiveproduct packs are aligned in a single row. Otherwise carton 70 functionsin the same manner as carton 50 and similar reference characters havebeen used to identify similar parts.

[0046]FIG. 12 shows a multi-pack tamper resistant package 80 similar topackage 50 of FIGS. 8-10, the only difference being that adhesive strips82 extend across the interior of each of the side walls 56 along upperportions thereof to secure the outer wrap material 34 of the productpacks to the interior of the carton.

[0047] Here again, the cartons 52 and 70 may include adhesive stripsinstead of adhesive dots, and the carton 80 may use adhesive dots inlieu of adhesive strips. Moreover, the adhesive may be hot melt or heatactivated, and the adhesive may be applied to the outer wrap as analternative to application of adhesive to the interior surface of thecarton.

[0048] It should be understood that the above detailed description whileindicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way ofillustration only, since various changes and modifications within thespirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the detailed description. For example, rather than usingdots or strips of adhesive on the packaging enclosure or on the outerwrap material of the product packs, adhesive may be applied in the formof double faced adhesive tape, for example. Although the embodimentsdepicted herein show the upper one third of the packaging enclosure asthe location for the adhesive dots or strips, the size and location maybe varied depending on the size of the pack for which the invention isused. A complete separation of the pack wrapping material is notrequired. It is desirable only that the wrapping material be disturbedsufficiently that the pack is not suitable for sale after beingseparated from the enclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package comprising: a packaging enclosurehaving an interior surface; a plurality of removable product packsinside the enclosure engaging the interior surface thereof; and each ofthe packs including outer wrap material at least a portion of which issecured to the interior surface of the enclosure such that upon removalof a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outerwrap material remains secured to the enclosure.
 2. A package as in claim1 wherein the packaging enclosure comprises: an open-ended packagingsleeve having a plurality of pack-receiving pockets; and at least oneproduct pack in each of the pockets.
 3. A package as in claim 2 whereinthe packaging sleeve includes two pack-receiving pockets with oneproduct pack in each pocket.
 4. A package as in claim 2 wherein thepackaging sleeve includes two pack-receiving pockets with a singleproduct pack in one pocket and two product packs in the other pocket. 5.A package as in claim 2 wherein the open-ended packaging sleeve includesan adhesive on the interior surface thereof that secures a portion ofthe outer wrap material of each product pack to the sleeve.
 6. A packageas in claim 1 wherein the packaging enclosure comprises: a cartonconstructed and arranged to receive two rows of product packs, each rowcomprising a plurality of packs.
 7. A package as in claim 6 wherein eachof the two rows comprises five product packs.
 8. A package as in claim 6wherein the carton includes: opposite side walls and oppositeinterconnecting end walls; and dots or a strip of adhesive extendingacross an interior surface of each side wall that secure a portion ofthe outer wrap material of each product pack to the carton.
 9. A packageas in claim 8 wherein the adhesive is hot melt adhesive.
 10. A packageas in claim 8 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.
 11. Apackage as in claim 6 wherein the carton includes: opposite sidewalls,top and bottom walls and interconnected end walls; and wherein the topwall includes a plurality of spaced apart openings, one directly aboveeach product pack within the carton providing access to the packs forindividually pushing them out and away from the carton.
 12. A package asin claim 1 wherein the packaging enclosure comprises: a cartonconstructed and arranged to receive a single row of a plurality ofproduct packs.
 13. A package as in claim 12 wherein single row comprisesfive product packs.
 14. A package as in claim 12 wherein the cartonincludes: opposite side walls and opposite end walls; and dots or astrip of adhesive extending across an interior surface of one side wallthat secures a portion of the outer wrap material of each product packto the carton.
 15. A package as in claim 14 wherein the adhesive is hotmelt adhesive.
 16. A package as in claim 14 wherein the adhesive isheat-activated adhesive.
 17. A package as in claim 12 wherein the cartonincludes: opposite side walls, top and bottom walls and interconnectingwalls; and wherein the top wall includes a plurality of spaced apartopenings, one directly above each product pack within the cartonproviding access to the packs for individually pushing them out and awayfrom the carton.
 18. A package as in claim 1 wherein the outer wrapmaterial of each product pack includes: a weakened line of separationbetween top and bottom portions of the outer wrap; and whereby uponremoval of a product pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrapseparates at the weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the outerwrap secured to the interior surface of the enclosure while a portion ofthe outer wrap remains with the removed product pack.
 19. A method ofproducing a tamper resistant package of product packs each having outerwrap material comprising the steps of: forming a packaging enclosure;filling the packaging enclosure with a plurality of product packs; andsecuring at least a portion of the outer wrap material of each productpack to the interior surface of the packaging enclosure such that uponremoval of a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of theouter wrap material remains secured to the enclosure.
 20. A method ofproducing a tamper resistant package as in claim 19 wherein the step ofsecuring at least a portion of the outer wrap material of each productpack to the interior surface of the packaging enclosure includesapplying an adhesive to a portion of the interior surface of thepackaging enclosure or to the at least a portion of the outer wrapmaterial so as to create a bond therebetween.
 21. A method of producinga tamper resistant package as in claim 20 wherein the adhesive is a hotmelt adhesive.
 22. A method of producing a tamper resistant package asin claim 20 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.
 23. Amethod of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 19 furtherincluding the step of: forming a weakened line of separation between topand bottom portions of the outer wrap material of each product pack suchthat upon removal of a product pack from the packaging enclosure theouter wrap separates at the weakened line thereby leaving a portion ofthe outer wrap secured to the interior surface of the enclosure while aportion of the outer wrap remains with the removed product pack.
 24. Amethod of producing a tamper resistant package of product packs eachhaving outer wrap material comprising the steps of: forming a packagingenclosure blank; applying an adhesive to the blank; positioning aplurality of product packs on the blank such that at least a portion ofthe outer wrap material of each product pack is adhered to the surfaceof the packaging enclosure blank; and folding the packaging enclosureblank around the plurality of product pack to form an enclosure suchthat upon removal of a product pack from the enclosure at least aportion of the outer wrap material remains secured to an interiorsurface of the enclosure.
 25. A method of producing a tamper resistantpackage as in claim 24 wherein the adhesive is hot melt adhesive.
 26. Amethod of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 24 whereinthe adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.
 27. A method of producing atamper resistant package as in claim 24 further including the step of:forming a weakened line of separation between top and bottom portions ofthe outer wrap material of each product pack such that upon removal of aproduct pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrap separates atthe weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the outer wrap secured tothe interior surface of the enclosure while a portion of the outer wrapremains with the removed product pack.